Air Serbia missed having Embraer E-Jets operating its flights. Since February, the Serbian carrier had ended a wet-leasing of E190 and E195 aircraft with Marathon Airlines, all due to a bizarre accident that occurred in Belgrade.
The jet, with a Greek crew, took off from the wrong position on the runway and hit an ILS pole, which damaged the wings, fuselage and rear stabilizer.
Despite the damage, the aircraft landed safely at the same airport. Air Serbia’s board, however, did not want to wait for investigations and terminated the agreement days later.
Follow Air Data News: WhatsApp | Google News | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook
But on Monday, April 16, an E190 took over the flight between Belgrade and Frankfurt and since then the aircraft has been operating on the Air Serbia flight network.
The LZ-PLO jet belongs to Bulgaria Air, which has four E190s in its fleet. According to local media, Air Serbia and the Sofia-based airline have agreed a new wet-leasing agreement that provides for a second E190 by June.
Possible acquisition of E-Jets
Furthermore, Air Serbia is hiring E-Jets pilots, according to Zamaaero, and appears to be in a hurry as the process should end on the 23rd.
The search for crew with flying hours on E190 and E195 jets is seen as a potential acquisition of Embraer aircraft. Also according to the outlet, Air Serbia would be negotiating the purchase of two E195s, including aircraft from Marathon Airlines.
The E-Jets fill an important niche in the airline’s fleet, which operates ATR 72 turboprops with 72 seats and Airbus A319 jets with 144 seats.
With 108 seats, the E190 has proven to be tailor-made aircraft for several of the carrier’s routes.
